Ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in nine states and the Lok Sabha elections in 2024, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has decided to deploy a force of about 3,000 'Vistaraks' (expansionists) across the country to strengthen the party, sources said.
Assembly elections are going to be held in Madhya Pradesh, Tripura, Karnataka, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram, Rajasthan, Telangana, and Chhattisgarh. Out of these, the BJP or its allies rule all, save Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh (Congress) and Telangana (Bharatiya Rashtra Samithi).
As per sources, these Vistaraks will work closely with the organisation at the local level in each assembly and Lok Sabha constituency and will report directly to the central leadership. They are also expected to prepare a ground report for the party ahead of the polls.
The BJP has fielded Vistaraks in all 119 Assembly seats of Telangana, and a few days ago, entrusted responsibility in 160 'weak' Lok Sabha constituencies to them.
BJP ally Tipra Motha Party threatens to withdraw support if govt does not fulfil promises
Tripura's ruling coalition partner, the Tipra Motha Party (TMP), on Thursday threatened to withdraw its support from the BJP-led government if the Centre did not fulfil the provisions of the tripartite accord signed on March 2 last year.
Not new procedure, been in place since 2009: EAM Jaishankar on deportation row
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday that there has been "no change from the past procedure" in the deportation of illegal immigrants by the United States, emphasizing that the process is "not a new one".
Cong seeks discussion in LS, dignified treatment for deported Indians by US
The Indian nationals who were deported from the US for illegally arriving in the country on Wednesday claimed that they were sent back on the military aircraft with their hands and legs cuffed throughout the journey.
J&K mysterious deaths: All pesticide, insecticide shops sealed in Rajouri district
All pesticide and insecticide shops have been sealed by authorities in Jammu and Kashmir’s (J&K) Rajouri district as part of preventive measures taken after 17 ‘mysterious deaths’ took place in Budhal village, officials said on Thursday.
Pariksha Pe Charcha: PM Modi to engage with students; Sadguru, Mary Kom, Deepika to join discussion
The much-anticipated eighth edition of 'Pariksha Pe Charcha' (PPC) is set to return in an expanded format, featuring an array of distinguished experts and guests, alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Maha Kumbh: 25,000 tribal devotees to take holy dip at Triveni Sangam
In a historic event, around 25,000 devotees from tribal communities across the country will converge at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj to take a holy dip at the Sangam and pledge to safeguard their religion, culture, and traditions.
White House dials down Trump's plan to 'take over' Gaza
The White House said on Wednesday that President Donald Trump had not committed any funds for his proposal for the US to take over Gaza or deploy troops there for that purpose.
After US, Israel withdraws participation from UN Human Rights Council
A day after US President Donald Trump announced America's withdrawal from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), Israel's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gideon Sa'ar, has said that Israel would also join the US in its decision not to participate in the UNHRC.